Packaged orthodontic appliance with user-applied adhesive

ABSTRACT

A packaged assembly includes a container with a chamber and an orthodontic appliance received in the chamber. The assembly also includes a quantity of orthodontic adhesive material that is received on a release surface in the chamber. The appliance is detachably mounted on a support and is relatively movable when desired in order to bring a base of the appliance into contact with the adhesive material for transfer of the adhesive material to the appliance.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/425,457, filed Jun. 21, 2006 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention broadly relates to orthodontic appliances and adhesive materials that are used in the patient's oral cavity during the course of orthodontic treatment. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a packaged assembly that includes at least one orthodontic appliance and a quantity of adhesive material for application to the base of each appliance.

2. Description of the Related Art

Orthodontic treatment involves movement of malpositioned teeth to orthodontically correct positions. Tiny orthodontic appliances known as brackets are connected to exterior surfaces of the patient's teeth, and an archwire is placed in a slot of each bracket. The archwire forms a track to guide movement of the teeth to desired positions for correct occlusion. End sections of the archwire are often received in appliances known as buccal tubes that are fixed to the patient's molar teeth.

In recent years it has become common practice to use adhesives to bond orthodontic appliances to the surface of the tooth, using either direct or indirect methods. Orthodontic adhesive is often applied to the base of the appliance by the practitioner immediately before the appliance is placed on the tooth. In some instances, a quantity of adhesive is dispensed onto a mixing pad or dispensing well, and a small spatula or other hand instrument is then used to apply a small dab of adhesive to each appliance. In other instances, a quantity of adhesive is dispensed from a syringe directly onto the base of the appliance.

Adhesive precoated brackets are known and offer significant advantages to the orthodontist. Adhesive precoated brackets have a bonding base upon which the manufacturer may apply a precise quantity of adhesive such as a photocurable adhesive. In direct bonding methods, when it is desired to mount the bracket on a tooth, the bracket is simply removed from the package and placed directly onto the tooth. For indirect bonding methods, brackets are removed from the package and placed, for example, on a replica plaster or “stone” model of the patient's dental arch to provide a custom base for later mounting on the patient's tooth, commonly using a transfer tray or indirect bonding tray.

Adhesive precoated orthodontic appliances are often packaged in containers that protect the adhesive from light, moisture and contaminates. Known containers include containers that receive only a single appliance. The adhesive is coated by the manufacturer onto the base of the appliance and rests on a release surface within the container. The release surface has properties that facilitate disengagement from the adhesive when the appliance is lifted from the container without unduly disturbing the overall shape of the adhesive.

A wide variety of orthodontic adhesives are available, and some practitioners prefer to use orthodontic adhesives with relatively low viscosities. However, low viscosity adhesives pose difficulties when precoated onto the base of appliances by the manufacturer. For example, the adhesive may not be sufficiently stiff to prevent the bracket from shifting on the release surface in the package and deforming the shape of the adhesive.

In addition, efforts have long been underway to develop new orthodontic adhesives with improved functional properties. Examples of such properties include sustained fluoride release and moisture tolerance. As can be appreciated, it would be a significant advantage to provide a packaging construction for precoated appliances that can be used with a number of different adhesive materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a packaged orthodontic assembly that includes a container, an appliance and a quantity of adhesive material that is initially spaced from the appliance. When it is desired to use the appliance in treatment, the container is opened and the adhesive material and the base of the appliance are brought into contact with each other such that the adhesive is transferred to the appliance. The appliance is then removed from the container and placed on the patient's tooth.

In accordance with the present invention, the adhesive material and the appliance are packaged together but the adhesive material is not precoated on the appliance by the manufacturer. Instead, the adhesive material is applied to the appliance by the practitioner when desired, such as during a point in time immediately before the appliance is to be bonded on the patient's tooth. Advantageously, the adhesive material when used with the present invention may have a relatively low viscosity if desired as compared to conventional adhesives used on precoated orthodontic appliances. Since the appliance and the adhesive material are separated from each other until desired for use, the tendency of the adhesive material to be dislodged from the base of the appliance before being placed on the tooth surface is reduced.

In more detail, the present invention in one aspect is directed to a packaged orthodontic assembly comprising a container with a chamber and an orthodontic appliance received in the chamber, and the appliance has a base. The assembly also includes a release surface in the chamber and a quantity of orthodontic adhesive material received on the release surface. The assembly further includes a support that is releasably connected to the appliance and supports the appliance in the chamber such that the base of the appliance is normally spaced from the adhesive material. At least one of the release surface and the support is movable in order to bring the orthodontic adhesive material into contact with the base of the appliance while the appliance is connected to the support.

Another aspect of the invention is directed toward a method of applying orthodontic adhesive material to the base of an orthodontic appliance. The method comprises:

providing a container with a chamber;

supporting an orthodontic appliance with a support in the chamber;

opening a cover of the container to expose the appliance; and

relatively moving the appliance and an orthodontic adhesive material in the chamber in order to bring a base of the appliance into contact with the adhesive material while the appliance is supported by the support.

These and other aspects of the invention will be described in more detail below and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaged orthodontic assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a reduced perspective view of a number of packaged orthodontic assemblies that have been received in a carrier, wherein each of the assemblies is similar to the assembly depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of one of the assemblies and the carrier shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view somewhat similar to FIG. 3 except that a cover of the assembly has been moved to an open position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an orthodontic appliance of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 after the appliance has received a quantity of adhesive material;

FIG. 6 is a view somewhat similar to FIG. 3 but showing a packaged orthodontic assembly constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a support alone of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a tool for use with the assembly as shown in FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a packaged orthodontic assembly according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a packaged orthodontic assembly according to still another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a packaged orthodontic assembly according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

DEFINITIONS

-   “Mesial” means in a direction toward the center of the patient's     curved dental arch. -   “Distal” means in a direction away from the center of the patient's     curved dental arch. -   “Occlusal” means in a direction toward the outer tips of the     patient's teeth. -   “Gingival” means in a direction toward the patient's gums or     gingiva. -   “Facial” means in a direction toward the patient's cheeks or lips. -   “Lingual” means in a direction toward the patient's tongue.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A packaged orthodontic assembly according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and is designated by the numeral 10. The assembly 10 broadly includes a container 12, an orthodontic appliance 14 received in the container 12, a release surface 16, a quantity of orthodontic adhesive material 18 received on the release surface 16 and a support 20 for supporting the appliance 14 in the container 12.

In more detail, the container 12 includes an oval-shaped sidewall 22 and a bottom 24. The sidewall 22 and the bottom 24 define a chamber 26. An upper edge of the sidewall 22 is connected to a flange 28 that surrounds the chamber 26.

Preferably, the sidewall 22, the bottom 24 and the flange 28 are integrally molded or otherwise formed as a unitary component. Suitable materials include polyethylene terephthalate glycol (“PETG”), such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,363 (Chester et al). Optionally, a polymeric material that is compounded with metallic particles may be used, such as described in published U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0196914 (Tzou et al).

The container 12 also includes a cover 30 that is releasably connected to the flange 28 by a section of adhesive 32. Suitable materials for the cover 30 are described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,363 (Chester et al.) and U.S. Publication No. 2003/0196914 (Tzou et al.). Suitable materials for the adhesive 32 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,363 (Chester et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,079 (Brennan et al.). Alternatively, the cover 38 may be connected to the flange 28 by a heat seal.

The cover 30 is shown in a closed position in FIGS. 2 and 3, and as shown in an open position in FIG. 4. In its closed position, the cover 30 extends over the opening of the chamber 26 and helps protect the appliance 14 and the adhesive material 18 from exposure to light, moisture and contaminants. The cover 30 includes a tab 34 that extends past the flange 28 for gripping by the practitioner when it is desired to move the cover 30 from a closed position to an open position.

Optionally, the cover 30 includes a series of perforations 36 (FIG. 1) that facilitate self-retention of the cover 30 in its open, upright position and permit the cover 30 to be made of relatively stiff materials. The perforations 36 also provide tactile feedback to the practitioner that the cover 30 is open so that the practitioner does not continue to pull on the cover 30 and separate the latter from the flange 28.

Optionally, the container 12 is received in a carrier along with other containers, such as the carrier 38 illustrated in FIG. 2. The carrier 38 has edge structure 40 (FIGS. 3 and 4) that define a series of oval-shaped openings 41 (FIG. 2). Preferably, the carrier 38 has two rows of openings 41, each row containing ten openings 41. In this manner, a space is provided to receive twenty containers similar to container 12 corresponding to each non-molar tooth involved in orthodontic treatment. Alternatively, the carrier 38 may include two rows of openings with each row containing fourteen openings 41 for those instances when appliances 14 are provided for the molar teeth as well.

The sidewall 22 of the container 12 includes two recesses 42 (FIGS. 3 and 4) that extend in a horizontal direction for receiving portions of the edge structure 40. The edge structure is flexible so that the containers 12 can be placed in or removed from the openings as desired. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the edge structure 40 is slightly deformed or deflected when the container 12 is received in the opening. Normally, the deflected edge structure 40 will thereafter retain the container 12 in the opening, although sufficient urging of the container 12 will permit removal of the container 12 from the opening and detachment from the carrier 38 when desired.

The appliance 14 that is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 is shown together with adhesive material 18 in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the appliance 14 is an orthodontic bracket, although other appliances are also possible, such as buccal tubes, buttons and other tooth attachments.

The appliance 14 includes a base 44 with a tooth-facing outer or bottom surface. A body 46 extends outwardly from the base 44 and is connected to two occlusal tiewings 48 and two gingival tiewings 50. An archwire slot 52 extends across the body 46 in the space between the tiewings 48, 50 for receiving an archwire.

Optionally, the base 44 has a custom configuration that precisely matches the shape of the patient's tooth surface. Methods of making custom bases are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,754 (Sondhi et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,421 (Cleary et al.). As one example, the custom base 44 may be formed using a hardenable adhesive material that is identical to the adhesive material 18. Other constructions are also possible.

The appliance 14 that is illustrated in the drawings is a “twin tiewing” bracket. Other brackets are also possible, such as “single tiewing” brackets. Furthermore, the bracket may have a configuration other than that shown in the drawings. The bracket may also be made of any one of a number of materials, including metal (such as stainless steel), plastic (such as polycarbonate that is optionally filled with glass fibers) or ceramic (such as monocrystalline or polycrystalline alumina).

The support 20 is received in the chamber 12 and is releasably connected to the appliance 14. In this embodiment, the support 20 has an overall, generally “C”-shaped configuration that is attached in its central portion to the bottom 24. The support 20 includes two arms 54 that extend toward each other. Outer ends of the arms 54 are spaced apart from each other and present a channel or receptacle for receiving the appliance 14. When the appliance 14 is received in the receptacle, one of the arms 54 is located in the recesses behind the occlusal tiewings 48 (i.e., in a region between the tiewings 48 and the base 44) and the other arm 54 is located in the recesses behind the gingival tiewings 50.

The support 20 is made of a flexible material such as polyethylene. The support 20 has sufficient inherent memory to normally retain the base 44 of the appliance 14 in spaced relationship to the adhesive material 18 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferably, when the cover 30 of the container 12 is moved from its closed position shown in FIG. 3 to its open position as shown in FIG. 4, the inherent memory of the support 20 causes the support 20 to change its overall shape such that the arms 54 move in a direction away from the adhesive material 18. Preferably, when the support 20 is in its relaxed configuration, the appliance 14 is outside of the chamber 26 and rests in a position above the flange 28 as depicted in FIG. 4.

Examples of suitable materials for the support 20 include flexible polymeric materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (“PETG”) and nylon.

The release surface 16 extends across the bottom of the support 20 near the center of its “C”-shaped configuration and faces upwardly and in a direction toward the base 44 of the appliance 14. The release surface 16 initially carries the adhesive material 18. However, the release surface 16 readily releases the adhesive material 18 when desired such that little if any of the adhesive material 18 remains on the release surface 16. Additionally, the release surface 16 enables the adhesive material 18 to detach without undue distortion of the overall shape of the adhesive material 18.

Particularly preferred materials for the release surface 16 include polymeric foams having either an open cellular structure or a closed cellular structure. A closed cell foam is preferred. The release surface 16 is preferably compressible and preferably resilient.

Preferably, the upper side of the release surface 16 has pores with a diameter that are mostly, if not entirely, within the range of about 0.00005 inch (0.001 mm) to about 0.03 inch (0.8 mm). More preferably, the diameter of the pores is mostly, if not entirely, within the range of about 0.001 inch (0.02 mm) to about 0.01 inch (0.2 mm). An example of a suitable average pore size is 0.004 inch (0.1 mm) in diameter or alternatively in the range of about 0.006 inch (0.15 mm) to about 0.01 inch (0.2 mm). The pore size is determined by determining its diameter in a reference plane parallel to the plane of the upper face. If the pore does not present a circular shape in that reference plane, the pore size is determined by calculating the diameter of a circle presenting an area that is equal to the area of the pore in such reference plane.

Particularly preferred foam materials for the release surface 16 include polyolefin foams such as polyethylene foams, polybutylene foams and polypropylene foams, or blends of the foregoing. Polyvinyl chloride foams, polyurethane foams and foam copolymers may also be employed. Examples of suitable polyethylene foams include L series, M series, S series and T series Minicel brand foams (such as series M200, M300 and T300) from Voltek. Another suitable foam is Volara brand 9EO skived foam from Voltek. Optionally, an outer layer of cells of the foam may be heated to “seal” or shrink the size of the pores by reducing the pore diameter and/or by reducing the pore depth in directions perpendicular to the plane of the upper face.

If the selected foam is shown to absorb one or more of the fluid components of the adhesive material 18 over time, then the foam could be modified in some manner provided the release characteristics of the foam are not unduly impaired. For example, the upper face of the release surface 16 could be fused or coated with an organic or inorganic barrier material to partially close some or all of the pores. Optionally, the barrier material is a curable monomeric system that is cured or partially cured to establish a crosslinked barrier, either at the upper face, in the body of the foam material, or both. As another option, the foam is coated or partially coated (and possibly immersed) in a liquid component that reduces the driving force for absorption.

The release surface 16 may alternatively be made of other materials as well. For example, the release surface 16 may be made of other polymers, copolymers or blends of polymers and copolymers such as polyesters, polyolefins, polyurethanes, fluoropolymers, (meth)acrylic, silicones, epoxies, synthetic rubbers, polycarbonates or vinyls. The release surface 16 may also be made of ceramic, glass or metal. Optionally, the inner surface of the support 20 facing the appliance 14 presents the release surface 16 so that the application of a separate coating or layer to the support 20 is unnecessary; in these instances, low surface energy coatings such as silicones or fluoropolymers may be applied to the support 20 to facilitate release of the adhesive material 18.

When the release surface 16 is made of a material other than a foam as described above, the pores in the preferred embodiments mentioned above may be made using any other suitable process or structure. For example, a number of particles such as spherical or irregularly-shaped beads, shards or particles made of glass, ceramic, metal or other materials may be fixed to a backing layer of the release surface 16 to provide pores. As another alternative, the upper face may have ridges, projections or other structure, either random or repeating, to provide a number of small pores. The pores may be made using a micro-replication technique, such as the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,917 (Pieper et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,273 (Holmes et al).

Optionally, the release surface 16 includes a quantity of a liquid composition that extends across the upper face and is in contact with the adhesive material 18. The liquid composition may be either a contiguous layer of liquid or a non-contiguous layer, such a patterned or printed coating or a coating randomly applied. The liquid composition may be made of any liquid material that facilitates release of the adhesive material 18 from the release surface 16 when desired, and if curable may be uncured, partially cured or entirely cured when present in the assembly 10.

Preferably, the liquid composition is at least partially removed from the release substrate when the adhesive material 18 detaches from the release surface 16, and remains with the adhesive material 18 during bonding of the appliance 14 to the patient's tooth.

Preferably, the liquid composition enhances the properties of the adhesive material 18. For example, the liquid composition transferred to the adhesive material 18 may increase the tackiness of the adhesive material 18, may increase the wettability of the adhesive material 18 and/or may increase the moisture tolerant characteristics of the adhesive material 18. These enhanced properties may facilitate bonding of the appliance 14 and also decrease the likelihood of spontaneous debonding of the appliance 14 during the course of orthodontic treatment.

Particularly preferred liquid compositions include hydrophilic compositions that are compatible with the adhesive material 18, such as some of the liquid orthodontic primers that are commercially available. An example of a suitable primer is Transbond MIP brand primer from 3M Unitek. Such primers not only enhance release of the adhesive material 18 from the release surface 16 but also facilitate bonding of the appliance 14 to the patient's tooth.

The liquid composition may include one or more monomers, oligomers, polymers or copolymers or mixtures of the foregoing. The liquid composition may also contain additives such as pigments, antioxidants and/or curatives (to enhance curing properties of the adhesive material 18). The liquid composition optionally contains solid filler particles such as fumed or fused silica, fluoroaluminosilicate, quartz, zirconia, and the filler particles could optionally be coated for example with silane, zirconate or titanate coatings as dispersion aids. The liquid composition may also include a fluoride releasing material such as zinc fluoride. As another option, the liquid composition may include a material that serves to etch the tooth enamel when placed into contact with a tooth.

Preferably, the liquid composition includes hydrophilic monomers, oligomers, polymers or blends thereof that optionally have the ability to absorb moisture and also provide enhanced chemical bonding to tooth enamel. Preferably, the liquid composition “cures into” the adhesive material 18 as the adhesive hardens, i.e., the liquid composition polymerizes with the adhesive. Optionally, the liquid composition is wholly or partially crosslinked into the adhesive as the adhesive hardens. Furthermore, the liquid composition is preferable immiscible with the adhesive over an extended period of time, so that the liquid composition does not unduly mix with or dissolve into the adhesive before the adhesive cures.

Preferred moisture tolerant or hydrophilic materials for the liquid composition include 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (“HEMA”), hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, glycerol di-acrylate, glycerol di-methacrylate, polyethylene glycol mono methacrylate, polypropylene glycol mono methacrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate and the like. Other preferred hydrophilic monomers include glycerol mono- and di-acrylate, glycerol mono- and di-methacrylate, ethyleneglycol diacrylate, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, polyethyleneglycol diacrylate (where the number of repeating ethylene oxide units vary from 2 to 30), polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate [where the number of repeating ethylene oxide units vary from 2 to 30, especially triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (“TEGDMA”).

More specific examples of hydrophilic materials are non-ionic polymers or copolymers, e.g. polyalkylene oxides (polyoxymethylene, polyethyleneoxide, polypropylene oxide) polyethers (polyvinylmethyl ether), polyethyleneimine copolymers, polyacrylamides and polymethacrylamides, polyvinylalcohol, saponified polyvinylacetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyloxazolidone, polymers containing N-oxysuccinimdo groups, ionic or ionizable polymers and copolymers containing polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid in unionized, partially neutralized or fully neutralized form, polyethyleneimine and its salts, polyethylene sulfonic acid and polyaryl sulfonic acids in unionized, partially neutralized or fully neutralized form, polyphosphoric and polyphosphonic acids in unionized, partially neutralized or fully neutralized form.

Preferred hydrophilic materials may be prepared by reaction of vinylic monomers such as acrylates, methacrylates, crotonates, itaconates and the like that contain polar groups that are acidic, basic or provided as a salt. These groups can also be ionic or neutral.

Examples of polar or polarizable groups include neutral groups such as hydroxy, thio, substituted and unsubstituted amido, cyclic ethers (such as oxanes, oxetanes, furans and pyrans), basic groups (such as phosphines and amines, including primary, secondary, tertiary amines), acidic groups (such as oxy acids, and thiooxyacids of C, S, P, B) and ionic groups (such as quarternary ammonium, carboxylate salt, sulfonic acid salt and the like) and the precursors and protected forms of these groups.

Additional information regarding the release surface 16, including other alternative constructions and materials, may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,249 (Brennan et al.). Additional information regarding suitable hydrophilic materials made be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/311,606, filed May 13, 1999 (Brennan et al.). Optionally, the release surface 16 may comprise part of the support 20, or be a coating that is applied to the support 20.

The adhesive material 18 may be a liquid, a semi-liquid, a paste or a solid material that is converted into a liquid, a semi-liquid or paste during the bonding procedure. Suitable compositions include composites, compomers, glass ionomers and resin-modified glass ionomers. Examples of light-curable adhesive materials include Transbond XT brand and Transbond LR brand adhesives from 3M Unitek. Examples of chemical curing adhesive materials include Sondhi brand Rapid-Set indirect bonding adhesive, Unite brand adhesive material, and Concise brand adhesive from 3M Unitek. An example of an adhesive that is both a light-curable adhesive and a chemical curing adhesive is Multi-Cure brand glass ionomer cement from 3M Unitek.

Compositions useful for the adhesive material 18 of the present invention are well known to one of skill in the art. Useful compositions include, for example, both light cure and chemical cure orthodontic adhesives. In some embodiments, the compositions are preferably fluoride releasing adhesives, self-etching adhesives, self-priming adhesives, color-changing adhesives, and combinations thereof.

Optionally, the adhesive material 18 falls in one of the following classes in accordance with the practitioner's preferences for tooth treatment:

Class I: An adhesive that requires both etching of tooth enamel and a separate application of a primer to the tooth enamel.

Class II: An adhesive that requires etching but not necessarily a separate application of primer.

Class III: An adhesive that requires no treatment of the teeth other than cleaning.

Class I adhesives, which include some chemically cured adhesives, require the use of a suitable etchant such as phosphoric acid or bisphosphonic acid. Possible primers for use with class I adhesives include orthodontic primers such as Transbond MIP brand primer and Transbond XT brand primer from 3M Unitek and Ortho Solo brand primer from Ormco Corporation. A self-etching primer may possibly be used, such as Transbond Plus SEP brand primer from 3M Unitek. Optionally, the primer may include a photobleachable dye to ensure adequate coverage of the primer on the teeth, a small amount of fluoroalumina silicate glass (“FAS” glass) for providing fluoride release during treatment, a small amount of fumed silica for rheology control purposes, and/or a small amount of silanated quartz filler for enhanced fracture toughness.

Suitable class II adhesives, which include many conventionally light cured adhesives, do not require a separate priming step. If the adhesive is a multi-layer adhesive, the adhesive may include a layer of primer that first contacts the tooth during a bonding procedure. As mentioned previously, phosphoric acid or bisphosphonic acid may be used as an etchant. If the adhesive does not include a primer component, the etchant itself may function as a primer. An example of such a self-etching primer is Transbond Plus SEP brand primer from 3M Unitek. Optionally, the self-etching primer could incorporate the optional features described above for the class I adhesive.

Suitable class III adhesives avoid the need for etching and priming the teeth and may be referred to as “self-adhesive” compositions. With these adhesives, the practitioner need only clean the teeth prior to application of the dental appliance in a typical bonding procedure. Suitable class III adhesives may include an acid component selected from a methacrylate phosphate (e.g., mono-HEMA phosphate, di-HEMA phosphate, glycerol dimethacrylate (GDMA) phosphate, a solution of a bisphosphonic acid in water or other solvent, and a bisphosphonic acid in powder form (using water for ionizing that is left on the teeth after tooth prophy and rinse). Other class III adhesives may include an ethylenically unsaturated component with acid functionality, an ethylenically unsaturated component without acid functionality, an initiator system, and a filler. Optionally a class III adhesive may be essentially free of water. Examples of class III adhesives have been previously described, e.g. in published U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2005/0176844 (Aasen et al.), 2005/0175966 (Falsafi et al.) and 2005/0175965 (Craig et al.).

The class III adhesives described above can optionally incorporate fillers (e.g., a glass ionomer-type filler that binds the water in the usual glass ionomer setting reaction). In addition, any of the class III adhesives described above may incorporate the optional features described in connection with class I adhesives.

Adhesive materials useful in the present invention may optionally include components such as fluoride releasing agents as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,717 (Wilson et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,922 (Rozzi et al.); adhesive enhancing agents (e.g., titanates, zirconates) as disclosed, for example, in PCT International Publication No. WO 00/69393 (Brennan et al.); fillers; micro fillers; remineralisation agents; enzyme releasing agents; rheology enhancing agents; photobleachable dyes; thermochromic agents; and combinations thereof.

Optionally, the adhesive material 18 preferably has an initial color remarkably different than dental structures. Color is preferably imparted to the adhesive material 18 through the use of a photobleachable dye. The adhesive material 18 preferably includes at least 0.001% by weight photobleachable dye, and more preferably at least 0.002% by weight photobleachable dye, based on the total weight of the adhesive material. The adhesive material 18 preferably includes at most 1% by weight photobleachable dye, and more preferably at most 0.1% by weight photobleachable dye, based on the total weight of the adhesive material. The amount of photobleachable dye may vary depending on its extinction coefficient, the ability of the human eye to discern the initial color, and the desired color change.

The color formation and bleaching characteristics of the photobleachable dye varies depending on a variety of factors including, for example, acid strength, dielectric constant, polarity, amount of oxygen, ambient moisture, and the type and weight percent of filler and/or resin. However, the bleaching properties of the dye can be readily determined by irradiating the adhesive material and evaluating the change in color. Preferably, at least one photobleachable dye is at least partially soluble in a hardenable resin.

Exemplary classes of photobleachable dyes are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,080 (Cole et al.), U.S. Pat. No.6,444,725 (Trom et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,555 (Nikutowski et al.). Preferred dyes include, for example, Rose Bengal, Methylene Violet, Methylene Blue, Fluorescein, Eosin Yellow, Eosin Y, Ethyl Eosin, Eosin bluish, Eosin B, Erythrosin B, Erythrosin Yellowish Blend, Toluidine Blue, 4′,5′-Dibromofluorescein, and combinations thereof. Reactant dyes may also be used.

The color change in the adhesive material 18 is preferably initiated by light. Preferably, the color change is initiated using actinic radiation using, for example, a dental curing light which emits visible or near infrared (IR) light for a sufficient amount of time. The mechanism that initiates the color change in the adhesive material 18 may be separate from or substantially simultaneous with the hardening mechanism that hardens the resin. For example, the adhesive material 18 may harden when polymerization is initiated chemically (e.g., redox initiation) or thermally, and the color change from an initial color to a final color may occur subsequent to the hardening process upon exposure to actinic radiation.

The change in adhesive material color from an initial color to a final color is preferably quantified by a Color Test as described below. Using the Color Test, a value of ΔE* is determined, which indicates the total color change in a 3-dimensional color space. The human eye can detect a color change of approximately 3 ΔE* units in normal lighting conditions. The dental adhesive material of the present invention is preferably capable of having a color change, ΔE*, of at least 10; more preferably, ΔE* is at least 15; most preferably ΔE* is at least 20.

A useful method for applying the adhesive material 18 to the release surface 16 includes, for example, using automated fluid dispensing systems such as those available under the trade designation Automove from Asymtek (Carlsbad, Calif.). Such automated fluid dispensing systems are useful for dispensing both patterned and non-patterned layers. Other useful systems include, for example, piston dispensing systems and multiple resolution fluid applicators as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,897 (Tokie).

An example of use of the assembly 10 will now be described. When the practitioner desires to use the appliance 14 in treatment, the container 12 is opened by moving the cover 30 from its closed position as shown in FIG. 3 to its open position as shown in FIG. 4. As the cover 30 is opened, the inherent resiliency of the support 20 causes the configuration of the support 20 to move to its normal, relaxed shape as shown in FIG. 4. In this configuration of the support 20, the arms 54 as well as the appliance 14 have been moved upward and away from the adhesive material 18 and to positions away from their respective positions when the cover 30 is closed.

Preferably, the appliance 14 is moved by the support 20 to a position above the flange 28 once the cover 30 has been opened. As such, grasping of the appliance 14 with a hand instrument such as a bracket placement tool or tweezers is facilitated. As one example, the practitioner may grasp opposite sides of the appliance 14 with jaws of the tweezers for subsequent handling.

Next, the practitioner pushes the appliance 14 in a downward direction until the base 44 of the appliance 14 contacts the adhesive material 18. The support 20 including the arms 54 is sufficiently flexible to enable the appliance 14 to be moved toward the release surface 16 without undue effort. Once the base 44 has been pressed against the adhesive material 18, pressure on the appliance 14 by the practitioner is relieved and the appliance 14 is moved in an upward direction. As the appliance 14 moves in a direction away from the bottom 24 of the container 12, the adhesive material 18 detaches from the release surface 16 and remains coupled to the base 44, preferably without undue distortion of the pillow-like shape of the adhesive material 18.

Once the appliance 14 has been moved above the flange 28, the appliance 14 is shifted in a lateral direction (i.e., in a mesial or distal direction, or in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the archwire slot 52). As the appliance 14 is so moved, the tiewings 48, 50 move along the space between the arms 54 until such time as the appliance 14 is clear of the support 20. Optionally, the hand instrument used to grasp the appliance 14 may be maneuvered in such a manner to tilt the appliance 14 while the appliance 14 is still in contact with the arms 54 and then move the appliance 14 along the arms 54 in the direction of the upward tilt. The appliance 14 may then be placed directly on the patient's tooth by the practitioner as desired.

A packaged orthodontic assembly 10 a according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. The assembly 10 a includes a container 12 a, an appliance 14 a, a release surface 16 a, an adhesive material 18 a and an elongated support 20 a. Except as described below, the assembly 10 a is substantially similar to the assembly 10 and consequently a description of the common aspects need not be repeated.

The support 20 a has a generally flat planar configuration when the container 12 a is closed as shown in FIG. 6. A top view of the support 20 a alone is illustrated in FIG. 7. An outer, free end of the support 20 a includes two edges or arms 54 a that are spaced apart from each other to present an opening. Optionally, one or both of the arms 54 a includes a small protrusion 56 a to help releasably retain the appliance 14 a in the space between the arms 54 a.

The support 20 a is resilient and has inherent memory. During opening of the container 12 a, the support 20 a relaxes and moves its outer, free end in an upward direction in a swinging, pivotal manner, causing the arms 54 a to move the appliance 14 a away from a bottom 24 a of the container 12 a. Once the container 12 a has been opened and the support 20 a has relaxed, the support 20 a has a configuration such that the arms 54 a are spaced above the flange of the container 12 a.

Optionally, the bottom 24 a of the container 12 a extends in an inclined direction relative to the flange of the container 12 a and to the longitudinal axis of the support 20 a, and the release surface 16 a extends across the bottom 24 a in facing but in spaced-apart relationship to the base of the appliance 14 a when the container 12 a is closed. Once a cover 30 a of the container 12 a has been opened, the sides of the appliance 14 a may be grasped with a tweezers or other hand instrument as described above in connection with the appliance 14. Next, the practitioner pushes the appliance 14 a in a downward direction along with the support 20 a until such time as the base of the appliance 14 a contacts the adhesive material 18 a. The adhesive material 18 a then transfers to the base of the appliance 14 a. Next, pressure is relieved on the appliance 14 a and the latter is allowed to move in an upward direction in a swinging manner.

Once the appliance 14 a and the arms 54 a of the support 20 a have been moved to a position above the flange of the container 12 a, the appliance 14 a may be detached from the support 20 a by moving the appliance 14 a along the arms 54 a. The appliance 14 a, once clear of the support 20 a, is then available for placement by the practitioner on the surface of a patient's tooth.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a tool 60 that may be used with the present invention, including the assemblies 10, 10 a described above. The tool 60 includes a row of elongated fingers 62 arranged in spaced-apart relation. As one example, and as shown in the drawings, five fingers 62 are provided. However, the tool 60 may have a smaller or greater number of fingers as an alternative.

The spacing between the fingers 62 is approximately equal to the spacing between the containers 12 when received on the carrier 68 shown in FIG. 2. Once the covers 30 of the container 12 have been opened, the tool 60 may be used by the practitioner to apply adhesive material 18, 18 a to the base of each appliance 14, 14 a simultaneously. The fingers 62 bear against each appliance 14, 14 a simultaneously to move each appliance 14, 14 a in a downward direction and toward the adjacent, corresponding quantity of adhesive material 18, 18 a. The tool 60 may then be lifted to disengage the fingers 62 from the appliances 14, 14 a at once, whereupon the appliances 14, 14 a may be individually grasped and placed on the patient's teeth as desired.

Optionally, the length of the finger 62 is selected to correspond with the distance between the facial surface of the appliance 14, 14 a and the top flange of the container 12, 12 a when the base of the appliance 14, 14 a is in contact with the adhesive material 18, 18 a. Such construction helps the user to avoid pushing the appliance 14, 14 a too far into the chamber (such as chamber 26) and unduly distorting the shape of the adhesive material 18, 18 a.

A packaged orthodontic assembly 10 b according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. The assembly 10 b includes a container 12 b, an appliance 14 b, a release surface 16 b, an adhesive material 18 b and a support 20 b. A cover 30 b, similar to covers 30, 30 a extends over an opening of a chamber 26 b and is shown in a closed position in FIG. 9.

In this embodiment, the support 20 b comprises a section of compressible foam material having a cavity for releasably receiving the appliance 14 b. At the bottom of the cavity, a central upwardly facing surface of the support 20 b comprises the release surface 16 b. The inner dimensions of the cavity are selected to enable the foam member to bear against and support the appliance 14 b in a suspended relationship, such that the first adhesive material 15 b is normally spaced from the adhesive material 18 b. As one option, the cavity in the foam member includes vertically-extending recesses that extend along mesial and distal sides of the appliance 14 b so that a hand instrument such as a pair of tweezers can be more readily maneuvered into a position to grasp the mesial and distal sides of the appliance 14 b. As another option, the support 20 b is reduced in height from the height shown in FIG. 9, and the facial surface of the appliance 14 b is initially located above the top of the support 20 b (similar to the orientation of the appliance 14 c in FIG. 10) to facilitate grasping of the appliance 14 b.

When use of the appliance 14 b is desired for patient treatment, the practitioner moves the appliance 14 b in a downward direction until the base of the appliance 14 b contacts the adhesive material 18 b. Once contact is established, the appliance 14 b, together with at least a portion of the adhesive material 18 b is lifted from the cavity and out of the chamber 26 b. Preferably, the inner walls of the support 20 b facing the cavity are constructed to bear against the appliance 14 b with sufficient force to support the appliance 14 b in a stable, suspended relationship during shipping and handling of the assembly 10 b, but enable the appliance 14 b to be lifted and released from the support 20 b without undue effort.

Other aspects of the orthodontic assembly 10 b are similar to aspects of the assemblies 10, 10 a described above.

A packaged orthodontic assembly 10 c according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 10. The assembly 10 c includes a container 12 c, an appliance 14 c, a release surface 16 c, an adhesive material 18 c and a support 20 c. In addition, the assembly 10 c includes a positioning member 21 c that is removably received in a “vertical” channel of the appliance 14 c (i.e., a channel extending between spaced apart tiewings of the appliance 14 c in an occlusal-gingival direction, considered when viewing the appliance 14 c after the appliance 14 c is bonded to the patient's tooth). Examples of suitable positioning members 21 c include long axis indicators that are provided to help the practitioner align the appliance 14 c with the longitudinal axis of the tooth during a bonding procedure.

As shown in FIG. 10, the support 20 c includes a central cavity with an upwardly facing surface that comprises the release surface 16 c. The top of the support 20 c includes a pair of grooves (not shown) that releasably receive bottom edges of the positioning member 21 c when the container 12 c is closed as illustrated in FIG. 10. Preferably, the positioning member 21 c is sandwiched between the top surface of the support 20 c and the bottom surface of a cover 30 c when the container 12 c is closed in order to prevent undue jostling or other movement of the appliance 14 c during shipping and handling of the assembly 10 c. Preferably, the positioning member 21 c includes shoulders (as shown) or other indicating marks or structure to help the practitioner place the appliance 14 c in a precise position a pre-determined distance away from the occlusal tip of the patient's tooth during a bonding procedure.

In use, and after the container 12 c has been opened, the appliance 14 c is moved in a downward direction viewing FIG. 10 by pushing on the appliance 14 c or the positioning member 21 c such that the bottom edges of the long axis indicator 21 c compress the support 20 c. Continued movement of the appliance 14 c in a downward direction brings the base of the appliance 14 c into contact with the adhesive material 18 c. The appliance 14 c can then be lifted out of the container 12 c for bonding to the patient's tooth. Other aspects of the orthodontic assembly 10 c are similar to corresponding aspects of the assemblies 10, 10 a and 10 b described above.

A packaged orthodontic assembly 10 d that is constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 11. The assembly 10 d includes a container 12 d with a cover 30 d and an appliance 14 d. An adhesive material 18 d sits atop a section of release surface 16 d that is affixed to a bottom 24 d of the chamber within the container 12 d. Alternatively, the bottom 24 d of the chamber could be coated or otherwise manufactured to provide a suitable release surface for the adhesive material 18 d.

Optionally, the support 20 d comprises a flexible, rigid or semi-rigid foam material. The support 20 d may also comprise an elastomeric material. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 20 d is sized to be in compression against the inner walls of the chamber such that the resulting force fit relationship serves to hold the support 20 d in place in the container 12 d. Alternatively, or in addition to, the container 12 d could be provided with an inner ledge, shelf, notch or other structure that receives the perimeter of the support 20 d.

The appliance 14 d is received in a slit or opening of the support 20 f. Once the container 12 d is opened, the practitioner can grasp the appliance 14 d by its sides, such as its mesial and distal sides. The practitioner can then add the adhesive material 18 d to the base of the appliance 14 d when desired by pushing the appliance 14 d in a downward direction. If the support 20 d is made of a flexible material, the support 20 d may bend and remain in contact with the appliance 14 d as the adhesive material 18 d is applied to the appliance 14 d. Alternatively, if the support 20 d is made of a more rigid material, the appliance 14 d may be pushed through the slit or opening of the support 20 d for contact with the adhesive material 18 d, and then withdrawn from the container 12 d by pulling the appliance 14 d back through the slit or opening while the support 20 d essentially remains in the configuration shown in FIG. 11.

As yet another option, one or more sides of the support 20 d are spaced from the adjacent sidewall of the container 12 d and the opening in the support 20 d resembles the opening of the support 20 a shown in FIG. 7. As one example, the support 20 d may be constructed in the shape of a bar or strip that extends across the chamber of the container 12 d, and the support 20 d may include a notch for supporting the appliance 14 d in suspended relationship within the chamber. The appliance 14 d may be detached from the support 20 d when desired by sliding the appliance 14 d in a lateral direction (i.e., in a horizontal direction and toward the opening of the notch). In this example, the adhesive material 18 d may be located on the bottom 24 d directly below the suspended appliance 14 d or laterally offset from the suspended appliance 14 d. Other aspects and options for the assembly 10 d are similar to the aspects and options described above in connection with the assemblies 10-10 c.

All of the patents and patent applications mentioned above are hereby incorporated by reference. The foregoing description is intended to exemplify various aspects of the invention and variations are possible. As one example, additional quantities of the monomers or curatives of the adhesive materials mentioned above may be provided in the containers, such as in pores of supports that are made of foam. Supports for the appliances may have configurations other than as shown. Moreover, the concepts set out herein may be used in connection with appliances that are provided in indirect bonding trays.

Furthermore, any of the adhesive materials described above may be provided as multilayer adhesives as set out, for example, in published U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0136370 (Brennan et al.). A number of other variations are also possible. Consequently, the invention should not be deemed limited to the presently preferred embodiments described in detail above, but instead only by a fair scope of the claims that follow and their equivalents. 

1. A packaged orthodontic assembly comprising: a container with a chamber; an orthodontic appliance received in the chamber, the appliance having a base; a release surface in the chamber; an orthodontic adhesive material received on the release surface; and a support releasably connected to the appliance and supporting the appliance in the chamber such that the base of the appliance is normally spaced from the adhesive material, wherein at least one of the release surface and the support is movable in order to bring the orthodontic adhesive material into contact with the base of the appliance while the appliance is connected to the support.
 2. A packaged orthodontic assembly according to claim 1 wherein the support includes a pair of arms extending toward each other, each of the arms having an outer end section, the outer end sections being spaced from each other to present a receptacle therebetween, and wherein the appliance is received in the receptacle.
 3. A packaged orthodontic assembly according to claim 2 wherein the appliance includes an occlusal recess and a gingival recess, and wherein the end sections of the arms are received in the occlusal and gingival recesses respectively.
 4. A packaged orthodontic assembly according to claim 1 wherein the support has an overall, generally “C”-shaped configuration.
 5. A packaged orthodontic assembly according to claim 1 wherein the support is resilient.
 6. A packaged orthodontic assembly according to claim 1 wherein the container includes a cover, and wherein the support normally retains the appliance in a position adjacent the cover when the cover is closed.
 7. A packaged orthodontic assembly according to claim 1 wherein the container includes a cover, and wherein the appliance is located between the adhesive and the cover.
 8. A packaged orthodontic assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the release surface and the support comprises a polymeric foam material.
 9. A packaged orthodontic assembly according to claim 1 wherein the container includes a cover that can be moved from a closed to an open position, and wherein the support has sufficient memory to move the appliance in a direction away from the release surface when the cover is moved to an open position.
 10. A packaged orthodontic assembly according to claim 1 wherein the container has a bottom, wherein the support has a longitudinal axis and is movable toward the bottom in a swinging manner, and wherein the bottom that extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis.
 11. A method of applying orthodontic adhesive material to the base of an orthodontic appliance comprising: providing a container with a chamber; supporting an orthodontic appliance with a support in the chamber; opening a cover of the container to expose the appliance; and relatively moving the appliance and an orthodontic adhesive material in the chamber in order to bring a base of the appliance into contact with the adhesive material while the appliance is supported by the support.
 12. A method of applying orthodontic adhesive material to the base of an orthodontic appliance according to claim 11 wherein the act of opening the cover is carried out before the act of relatively moving the appliance and the orthodontic adhesive material.
 13. A method of applying orthodontic adhesive material to the base of an orthodontic appliance according to claim 11 wherein the act of relatively moving the appliance and the orthodontic adhesive material is carried out by pushing on the appliance.
 14. A method of applying orthodontic adhesive material to the base of an orthodontic appliance according to claim 13 wherein the act of relatively moving the appliance and the orthodontic adhesive material is carried out by pushing on the appliance in a downward direction.
 15. A method of applying orthodontic adhesive material to the base of an orthodontic appliance according to claim 11 wherein the act of providing a container also includes the act of providing a release surface for initially receiving the orthodontic material.
 16. A method of applying orthodontic adhesive material to the base of an orthodontic appliance according to claim 11 wherein the act of opening the cover enables the appliance to move in a direction away from the adhesive material.
 17. A method of applying orthodontic adhesive material to the base of an orthodontic appliance according to claim 11 wherein the act of supporting an orthodontic appliance includes the act of supporting the appliance with a material comprising a foam material.
 18. The packaged orthodontic assembly of claim 1, wherein the release support surface comprises a liquid composition, and wherein at least a portion of the liquid composition remains on the orthodontic adhesive material when the support is moved in a direction away from the release support surface.
 19. The packaged orthodontic assembly of claim 9, wherein the container comprises a flange and wherein the support has sufficient memory such that at least a portion of the orthodontic appliance is positioned above the flange when the cover is moved to an open position. 